SE Illinois News

The bidding process for the off-highway vehicle trail system at the Sahara Woods State Fish and Wildlife Area won’t commence until the Illinois Department of Natural Resources secures the proper funding.

But a delay to its opening next year isn’t anything to be concerned about, according to one state senator.

“Currently the IDNR is waiting for $1.3 million in funding from the Federal Highway Administration before the project can go out for bid,” Sen. Dale Fowler (D-Harrisburg) said on Facebook. “However, the IDNR officials I spoke with said they are cautiously optimistic that the OHV site will be ready for riders in the spring of 2023!”

Fowler outlined the work that has been completed as of Nov. 17, including, but not limited to, the clearing of 26 miles of trails for the project, the installation of $100,000 worth of culverts throughout the trails, and maintenance projects, including keeping trails clear of debris and from becoming overgrown again with woody vegetation.

"It is multimillion dollar investments into this region that will continue to put southern Illinois on the map as a vacation destination and help our local communities thrive," the senator told the Marion Republican.

Last May, Fowler participated in the celebration of the opening of the bike trails system at the Touch of Nature Environment Center.

The Carbondale Reporter wrote that the senator went for a ride on its 10-mile mountain biking trail.

"It was a great morning at Touch of Nature as a ribbon-cutting ceremony unveiled the Touch of Nature Mountain Bike Trails to the community," Fowler said on Facebook at the time. "This developing system of trails not only adds to the quality of life to the region, it is already a growing tourism destination for mountain bike riders across the country. Well done, Touch of Nature.”